Innovative Humanoid Robot in Development by Mobileye Founder

Mentee Robotics has not been entirely in stealth mode. The Israeli-based startup gained some initial media attention at the end of 2022, following Tesla’s announcement regarding humanoid robotics. As it was the startup's founding year, there wasn’t much to showcase. However, the company made headlines largely due to co-founder and chair Amnon Shashua, known for establishing Mobileye and the well-funded AI company, AI21 Labs.

On Wednesday, Mentee Robotics unveiled a first look at Menteebot, its unique entry into the burgeoning humanoid robotics sector. In its current stage, Menteebot presents a markedly different approach compared to existing models on the market. This situation raises intriguing questions about how we define a humanoid robot.

Importantly, the robot showcased is still a prototype—yet its developers believe it has achieved enough progress to warrant a public reveal after two years in stealth mode. With Shashua's extensive background, Menteebot prominently features advances in computer vision and generative AI.

“We're on the verge of a convergence involving computer vision, natural language understanding, sophisticated simulators, and methods to translate simulations into real-world applications,” Shashua stated in the announcement. “At Mentee Robotics, we regard this convergence as the foundation for crafting the future of bi-pedal robots that can navigate environments like humans, equipped with the intelligence to execute household tasks and learn through imitation.”

Undoubtedly, perception and reasoning are vital elements that will influence the progression of humanoid technology. Mentee Robotics benefits from an impressive founding team, including CEO Lior Wolf, a former director at Facebook AI Research, and Shai Shalev-Shwartz, a professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and current CTO at Mobileye. Together, they have successfully raised $17 million in funding, primarily through Ahren Innovation Capital.

Mentee Robotics is targeting both industrial and domestic markets from the outset. Although many humanoid developers often view household applications as a long-term goal, warehouses and factories are prioritized due to their urgent need for additional labor and their larger budgets compared to typical consumers, as well as the structured environments they provide.

Currently, the company is demonstrating how AI models enhance the robot’s ability to perform tasks.

Mentee explains: “We utilize transformer-based Large Language Models (LLMs) to interpret commands and methodically plan the necessary steps for task completion. Our focus is also on integrating locomotion and dexterity, ensuring the robot can dynamically balance while carrying weights or extending its arms.”

Mentee Robotics anticipates releasing a production-ready prototype by early 2025.